Hypodermic syringe



Nov. 25, 1930.

D. I. FLETCHER HYPODERMIC SYRINGE Filed May 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z L 7 f Inventor A; 17. I.] Zec/1w Nov. 25,1930.

D. l. FLETCHER 1,782,938

HYPODERMI G SYRINGE Filed May 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor ByQMw/ih Arte rm MM .Nov. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES rum 2mm, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

monmrc 8M6] Application ma Kay 11, me. Serial Io. amass.

The present invention relates to hypodermic syringes and has for its principal object to provide a serum or medicament cartridge'arranged for removabl mounting I in operative association with the ejecting means of the needle in a manner for dis charging the serum through the needle end thereof.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a cartridge of this character having a needle forming a discharge nozzle at one end thereof and providing a combined stopper and plunger at the opposite end thereof in operative association with the ejecting means of the needle whereby to force the serum through said nozzle.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a plastic coating for both the needle and plunger ends of the cartridge forming a sanitary and liquid tight seal therefor and to protect the same until ready for use.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a used connection for the needle with the discharge end of said cartridge.

. An additional object is to provide an article of this character of a sim le and practical construction, which is eflicient and reliable in performance, sanitary, which enables the serum in the cartridge to be stored for any definite period without danger of deterioration, which permits of a reduction in the number of parts entering into the construction of a hy odermic syringe of this character and there y promote economy in the manufacture thereof, and which is otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction, combination and arrangement of the various elements forming the invention as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings forming parts hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cartridge shown provided at each end with the fastening cover,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing such cover removed and with the cartridge ready for use,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view throu h the mounting for the cartrid and with t e cartrid e shown in position t erein with its inner enl broken away and shown in section,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along a line 44 of Fi re 3,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a simplified serum ejecting means for the cartridge,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the same after the same has been discharged theret t n1 an 1 igure is an e arge r entary on tudinal sectional view thrzl i g h the needle 7 end of the cartridge and illustrating the manner in which the needle is used therein.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention contem lates the provision of a conventional t e of older for a hypodermic 7 needle, and inc uding a cylindrical barrel 5 open at each end and having one end provided with a slightly inturned flange 6 and with its opposite end externally threaded for receiving a ca};J 7,

Within the arrel 5 is seated a cylindrical sleeve 8 constituting an adapter and preferably constructed of semi-hard rubber or the like, one end. of the sleeve being tapered as shown at 9 and extendin outwardly of the flanged end 6 of the barre and with its outer end of a substantially blunt formation and. provided with an o ning therein.

The opposite end gf the sleeve is closed by the cap 7 and extending longitudinally in the cap is the plunger rod 10 having an operatin knob 11 formed at its opposite outer end an with a disk head 12 formed at its inner end within the sleeve 8. a

A cap is also rovided with a air of laterally extending gers 13 exten ing at op 0- site sides thereof. The sleeve 8 is'ada te to receive a cylindrical cartridge 14, pro erably constructe of /transparent material, said cartridge being of a tapered formation at one end, as shown at 15 and adapted to snugl fit within the tapered end 9 of the sleeve wit the tapered end of the cartridge protrudin outwardly through the opemngs in sai sleeve.

The tapered end of the cartridge 17 is also formed with anopening through which the front end of a tubular hypodermic needle 16 is inserted, the outer end of such needle being of the conventional construction and pointed as shown at 17, the portion of the needle adjacent such pointed end is flattened and provided with a discharge opening 18 as well known in the art.

This needle 16 is usually of a metallic construction and is fixedly secured in the tapered end of the cartridge by heating such end of the cartridge and fusing the material of the cartridge about the inner end of the needle.

This method of fusibly connecting the needle with the cartridge is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawing and for this purpose the outer surface of the upper end of the needle is cast roughly as indicated at 19 so as to enable the molten material of the cartridge to more readily adhere to the end of the needle. The needle is also formed with a collar or flange 16 adjacent its secured end for abutting the end of the cartridge and prevent inward movement of the needle.

The cartridge 14 is adapted to contain a quantity of serum or medicament 20 which is retained therein by a stopper 2] having its edges fitted snugly against the inner wall of the cartridge and disposed at the end thereof opposite from the tapered end 15. The stopper 21 may be constructed of any suitable material well known in the art and if desired may be provided v with an annular packing ring 22 engagealile with the walls of the cartridge to forman absolute air tight and liquid tight seal for the serum within the same.

The stopper 21 is adapted for sliding movement in the cartridge and accordingly upon the assembly of the parts as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings the head 12 of the plunger rod 10 may be placed against the stopper 21 and upon the operation of said rod inwardly through the cap, the stopper 21 may be forced longitudinally of the cartridge for causing ejection of the serum out through the needle 16. The end of the stopper is tapered to correspond with the tapered discharge end of the cartridge whereto force all of the serum therefrom.

The barrel 5 and the sleeve 8 may be formed with .alined longitudinally extended slotted openings 23 and 24 respectively, by means of which the quantity of serum discharged from the transparent cartridge 14 may be observed.

The face of the head 12 disposed in engagement with the sto per 21 may be formed with a In 25 suitable or penetrating the material of t e stopper to revent transverse movement between the liead and stopper during the operation of the rod 10. At the time of filling the cartridge 14 and fitting the sto r 21 in the filling end thereof, both the g and dischar e end of the cartridge may be covered wit a quantity of plastic material indicated at 26 and 27 respectively whereby to close both ends of the cartridge against contact with the air or any object prior to the time when the same is mounted in the holder 30 for use.

This plastic material may be of a character well known in the art, such as wax or the like. The plastic material is adapted to entirel cover both ends of the cartridge and extend: throughout the entire length of the needle 16 as clearly illustrated in Flgure 1 of the drawings. When the cartridge is desired for use the plastic material is heated so as to cause a melting of the same and removal from the cartridge before placing the same in the holder.

If desired the cartridge may be in use independent of the'holder represented in Figure 3 of the drawings and in lieu of the holder the filling end of the cartridge may be provided with a snugly fittin cap 28 having an insert 29 of packing material, such as cork, rubber or the like, the outer end of said insert being of a reduced diameter enabling the same to fit within the end of the cartridge as clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing.

Both the cap 28 and the insert 29 are provided with a central opening through which a plunger rod 30 extends having an operating knob 31 on its outer end and arranged with its inner end engaging the stopper or plunger 21 of the cartridge, the operation of said plunger rod serving to eject the serum from the cartridge in a manner as heretofore ex lained.

n this form of the invention, both ends of the cartridge 14 may be protected by a plastic coating similar to that eretofore described. It will be a parent from the foregoing that as soon as t e serum from the cartridge has been ejected that the same may be removed from the holder and a fresh cartridge substituted therefor. With respect to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the cap for the filling end of the cartridge and the plunger rod 30 may be installed in operative position with respect to the cartridge at the time of manufacture thereof and the plunger rod 30 sealed in position21ntil ready for use by the plastic coatlng In this form of the invention after the cartridge has been used the plunger rod 30 may be destroyed or distorted together with the used cartridge.

It is obvious that my invention is susce tible to various changes and modifications 1n construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, and I accordingly claim all such forms of the device to which I am entitled.

adapter in the barrel having a tapered outer v end which conformably engages said tapered end of the barrel and pro ects therebeyond, and a cartrid e within and engaged with the inner circum erence of the adapter and having a tapered end provided with a needle said cartridge having a piston at its inner end to en age with the plunger rod of the syringe.

2. combination wlth a syringe aving a plunger rod and a barrel provided with an abutment at its outer end, an adapter within the barrel having a tapered outer end which engages with said abutment to be held thereby against movement out of the front of the barrel, and a cartridge in the adapter having a tapered end provided with a needle and engaged with the tapered end of the adapter and having a piston at its inner end engageable with the plunger rod of the syringe.

3. In combination with a syringe having a plunger rod and a barrel formed with an abutment at its front end, an adapter within the barrel having its front end formed to engage with said abutment so as to be held thereby against, movement out of the barrel, a cartridge in the adapter having a needle fixed initsfront end and having its said front end engaged with the front end of the adapter so as to be firmly held thereby and a piston in the cartridge operable by the plunger rod of the syringe.

In testimonjys whereof I aflix my signature.

' ELMZER I. PLETCHER. 

